Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get started with Ethical Hacking:

Preparation:

1. Download VirtualBox: First, you’ll need virtual machine software. VirtualBox from Oracle is a popular free choice. Head to https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads to download the latest version for Windows 10.
2. Download Kali Linux ISO: Next, grab the Kali Linux ISO image. Visit https://www.kali.org/get-kali/ and choose the 64-bit version unless you have a specific reason to use 32-bit.

Creating the Virtual Machine:

1. Launch VirtualBox: Open VirtualBox after installation.
2. New Virtual Machine: Click the “New” button to create a new virtual machine.
3. Specify Name and OS Type: In the wizard, provide a name for your VM (e.g., KaliLinux) and select “Linux” as the type. Choose “64-bit” for the version.
4. Allocate Memory: On the next screen, allocate RAM for the VM. A good starting point is 2 GB, but you can assign more depending on your system’s available memory and desired performance for Kali Linux.
5. Create Virtual Disk: Choose “Create a virtual hard disk now” and select the disk type (VDI is a common option).
6. Hard Disk File Type: In the storage options, select “VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image)” and choose “Dynamically allocated” for efficient disk space usage.
7. Hard Disk Size: Allocate storage space for your virtual disk. The minimum recommended size is 20-25 GB. Click “Create” to finish creating the VM.

Configuring the Virtual Machine:

1. Settings: Before starting the VM, you might want to adjust some settings. Right-click your newly created VM and select “Settings.”
2. System: Under “System” settings, you can adjust the number of virtual CPUs if needed.
3. Network: In the “Network” settings, consider choosing “Bridged Adapter” to allow Kali Linux to have its own network connection.
4. Storage: Under “Storage,” ensure the downloaded Kali Linux ISO file is selected under the “Optical Drive” controller.

Starting and Installing Kali Linux:

1. Start the VM: Click the “Start” button on your VM to boot it up.
2. Boot Options: The VM will start from the Kali Linux ISO file. Choose “Live boot” to try Kali Linux or “Install” to permanently install it on the virtual disk.
3. Installation Process: Follow the on-screen instructions for the Kali Linux installation, which is very similar to installing any other operating system. You’ll be prompted to set up language, location, user account, and partitioning options.
4. Desktop Environment and Tools: During installation, you can choose the desktop environment (e.g., GNOME) and select which Kali Linux tools you want to install.
5. Finalize Installation: Once the installation is complete, remove the ISO file from the virtual machine settings and reboot Kali Linux. You should now be booted into your fresh Kali Linux virtual environment.